Is This Propaganda Masquerading As Education?

Durham Region:

BOWMANVILLE — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals campaigner Emily Lavender, who made headlines across Canada last year for getting pied while protesting the annual seal hunt, spoke to students at Bowmanville High School on June 3.

“The seal hunt is a really sad issue. You can really make a difference in positive and fun ways,” said Ms. Lavender.

She added that just by taking a picture of themselves with an anti-seal hunt sign and posting it online, the youth could reach a wide audience. They could also help by signing petitions, handing out flyers or just putting a PETA sticker on their laptop or cellphone, according to the activist.

Ms. Lavender also recommended the students consider going vegan, not using any animal products. She said she had concerns about giving up meat, but found soy meat-substitutes a big help.

What else has Ms Lavender been up to recently:

Ms. Lavender also talked about making national headlines last year in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Dressed as a seal and protesting the hunt, she followed Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Earlier that week, another PETA activist had pied the minister of fisheries and oceans.

Ms. Lavender was waiting on a street corner for the prime minister when someone dressed in a Newfoundland dog costume pushed a pie into her face.

“I saw the pie behind his back and tried to run away. He caught up with me and we fell down. When we got up, he got me,” said Ms. Lavender.

She said the incident didn’t hurt, and had a positive effect.

“Me getting pied in the face got our vice-president on CBC,” said Ms. Lavender.

Outstanding! Now how exactly did this get wedged into the curriculum?

Bowmanville High School teacher Jeff Boucher contacted PETA to request a copy of pop artist Ke$ha’s PETA ad to hang in his classroom. PETA offered to send Ms. Lavender to address the class and Mr. Boucher agreed. He said the PETA presentation was a great chance to get his business class students talking about ethics in business, whether it’s the seal hunt or tobacco companies.

Ethics. Of course!

Apparently a good time was had by all:

After the presentation, students took pictures of themselves trying on Ms. Lavender’s seal costume. The local youth also took PETA stickers, pamphlets and copies of a petition opposing the seal hunt.

“I think these kids have really been touched by this issue. They were horrified while watching the video. A lot of them have taken petitions,” said Ms. Lavender.

I can’t imagine teenagers in my day lining up to try on a seal costume.  Grade one to five maybe. But I digress. The issue here is: Are some teachers using classroom time to advance their pet agendas? and are they seeking to inspire a new crop of left-wing activists at the same time?

Related: This might be Kesha campaign ad that Mr Coucher was referring to.

Advertisement